Revolutionising Cancer Immunotherapy: Advancements and Prospects in Non-Viral CAR-NK Cell Engineering.

The recent advancements in cancer immunotherapy have spotlighted the potential of natural killer (NK) cells, particularly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-transduced NK cells. These cells, pivotal in innate immunity, offer a rapid and potent response against cancer cells and pathogens without the need for prior sensitization or recognition of peptide antigens. Although NK cell genetic modification is evolving, the viral transduction method continues to be inefficient and fraught with risks, often resulting in cytotoxic outcomes and the possibility of insertional mutagenesis.

Risk factors of systemic inflammatory response syndrome after minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy with a controlled irrigation pressure.

Objective: This study aims to identify the risk factors for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with a controlled irrigation pressure and to find which patients undergoing PCNL are likely to develop SIRS under the pressure-controlled condition.

Methods: A total of 303 consecutive patients who underwent first-stage PCNL in our institute between July 2016 and June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. All the procedures were performed with an 18 F tract using an irrigation pump setting the irrigation fluid pressure at 110 mmHg and the flow rate of irrigation at 0.

Prognostic value of coronary artery calcium scoring in patients with non-small cell lung cancer using initial staging computed tomography.

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprising 85% of cases. Due to the lack of early clinical signs, metastasis often occurs before diagnosis, impacting treatment and prognosis. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common comorbidity in lung cancer patients, with shared risk factors exacerbating outcomes.

Impact of platelet-lymphocyte ratio after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy with renorrhaphy.

Renorrhaphy is often performed after tumor resection during robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN). This study aimed to investigate the association between renorrhaphy performance and inflammatory markers. A retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent RAPN at eight institutions in Japan between April 2016 and November 2023.

Intratesticular creatine maintains spermatogenesis by defining tight junctions.

One in five couples who wish to conceive is infertile, and half of these couples have male infertility. However, the causes of male infertility are still largely unknown. Creatine is stored in the body as an energy buffer, and the testes are its second-largest reservoir after muscles.

Androgen receptor and osteoglycin gene expression predicting prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer.

This study aimed to identify the predictive factors associated with the oncological outcomes of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer-related genes. A nomogram for predicting prostate cancer-specific survival (CSS) was constructed based on biopsy samples obtained from 103 patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. We analyzed the association between clinical data and mRNA expression levels.

The Financial Burden of Localized and Metastatic Bladder Cancer.

Background And Objective: Bladder cancer (BCa) imposes a substantial economic burden on health care systems and patients. Understanding these financial implications is crucial for effective resource allocation and optimization of treatment cost effectiveness. Here, we aim to systematically review and analyze the financial burden of BCa from the health care and patient perspectives.

Radiomics of Periprostatic Fat and Tumor Lesion Based on MRI Predicts the Pathological Upgrading of Prostate Cancer from Biopsy to Radical Prostatectomy.

Rationale And Objectives: To assess the predictive value of MRI-based radiomics of periprostatic fat (PPF) and tumor lesions for predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrading from biopsy to radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: A total of 314 patients with pathologically confirmed prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP) were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to the training cohort (n = 157) and the validating cohort (n = 157) in a 1:1 ratio.

Neurovascular Structure-adjacent Frozen-section Examination (NeuroSAFE) During Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: A standardized intraoperative frozen section analysis of the prostate resection margin adjacent to the neurovascular bundle according to the NeuroSAFE technique is performed to maximize nerve sparing during radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this review was to analyze oncological and functional outcomes of NeuroSAFE.

Methods: A systematic search of the Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases until July 2024 was performed.

Predictive biosignatures for hospitalization in patients with virologically confirmed COVID-19.

Background: COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, presents with varying severity among individuals. Both viral and host factors can influence the severity of acute and chronic COVID-19, with chronic COVID-19 commonly referred to as long COVID. SARS-CoV-2 infection can be properly diagnosed by performing real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis of nasal swab samples.

How many cores should be collected per region of interest in fusion targeted prostate biopsy? A retrospective single institution statistical simulation.

Objectives: To determine how many cores should be collected per region of interest in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided fusion prostate biopsy. MRI-guided targeted prostate biopsy has led to improved detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC); however, data is limited regarding the optimal number of biopsy cores that should be taken. An ideal number of cores maximizes clinically significant cancer detection while minimizing cost, discomfort, and procedure time.

Automated 24-sector grid-map algorithm for prostate mpMRI improves precision and efficacy of prostate lesion location reporting.

Background: The Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) calls for reporting the prostate index lesion and the location within the transition (TZ) or peripheral zone (PZ) and location on a corresponding sector map. The aim of this study was to train a deep learning DL-based algorithm for automatic prostate sector mapping and to validate its' performance.

Methods: An automatic 24-sector grid-map (ASG) of the prostate was developed, based on an automatic zone-specific deep learning segmentation of the prostate.

Development of a New Score Based on Image Defined Risk Factors to Standardize Surgical Risk in Neuroblastoma Resection - A SIOPEN Collaborative Study.

Background And Aims: Image Defined Risk Factors (IDRFs) assess surgical risk in neuroblastoma (NB) and guide neoadjuvant therapy. Despite chemotherapy IDRFs may persist in 70 % of cases. Several studies have suggested that not all IDRFs hold equal significance and that the presence of an IDRF does not inherently signify unresectability.

Large Language Models in Worldwide Medical Exams: Platform Development and Comprehensive Analysis.

Background: Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly integrated into medical education, with transformative potential for learning and assessment. However, their performance across diverse medical exams globally has remained underexplored.

Objective: This study aims to introduce MedExamLLM, a comprehensive platform designed to systematically evaluate the performance of LLMs on medical exams worldwide.

Prognostic and functional role of the nuclear export receptor 1 (XPO1) in gastrointestinal cancers: a potential novel target?

In the last decades the survival of metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients could have been significantly extended due to the introduction of targeted- and immunotherapy. However, only the minority of patients will experience long-lasting survival. Hence, novel therapeutics are clearly necessary for GI cancer patients.

Spectral CT-based nomogram for evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To establish a spectral CT-based nomogram for predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 172 patients with ESCC who underwent spectral CT scans before NAC followed by resection. Based on postoperative tumor regression grades (TRG), 34% (58) of patients were responsive (TRG1) and 66% (114) were non-responsive (TRG2-3).

Vacuum suction catheter semi-rigid ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for impacted upper ureteral stones: randomised controlled trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an upgraded integrated vacuum suction catheter in semi-rigid ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (VC-URSL) compared to traditional methods for treating impacted upper ureteral stones.

Patients And Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted from September 2022 to March 2024 at a single center, enrolling 95 patients aged 18 to 70 years with a single radiopaque impacted upper ureteral stone. Participants were randomized into two groups: the VC-URSL group used an integrated vacuum suction catheter featuring a stainless steel stabilizing tube and a narrowed distal end to prevent obstruction, while the T-URSL group underwent standard ureteroscopic lithotripsy without vacuum assistance.

Therapeutic Potential of Oligo-Fucoidan in Mitigating Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Fibrosis.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) serves as a home-based kidney replacement therapy with increasing utilization across the globe. However, long-term use of high-glucose-based PD solution incites repeated peritoneal injury and inevitable peritoneal fibrosis, thus compromising treatment efficacy and resulting in ultrafiltration failure eventually. In the present study, we utilized human mesothelial MeT-5A cells for the in vitro experiments and a PD mouse model for in vivo validation to study the pathophysiological mechanisms underneath PD-associated peritoneal fibrosis.

Percutaneous Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Focal Laser Ablation (MRI-FLA) of Prostate Tumors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

MRI-guided focal laser ablation (MRI-FLA) is an emerging minimally invasive technique for treating localized prostate tumors, aiming to provide effective cancer control while minimizing side effects. This meta-analysis systematically evaluates the clinical outcomes, technical efficacy, and complication rates associated with MRI-FLA to better understand its therapeutic potential and safety profile in prostate cancer management. In July 2024, PubMed (MEDLINE) was searched for eligible trials using the PRISMA guidelines.

Urinary MicroRNA-21 for Prostate Cancer Detection Using a Silver Nanoparticle Sensor: A Promising Diagnostic Tool.

In this study, we detected the expression levels of miR-21 in 38 clinical urine samples, obtained from 10 patients with PCa (with each sample obtained at three time points: before surgery, 1 month after surgery, and 3 months after surgery), 3 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and 5 healthy subjects (as a control group). All of the samples were examined using a silver nanoparticle-based biosensor, and the sensitivity of the biosensor was simultaneously confirmed via qRT-PCR. The results were further analyzed together with clinical data such as PSA values and cancer stages.

Moving Beyond the Bladder Diary: Does New Technology Now Allow Us to Take Investigation of LUTS Into the Community? ICI-RS 2024.

Context: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) are defined by their distressing effect on patients' day-to-day life. Given the pressures on secondary care resources, LUTS may be overlooked or inadequately assessed and therefore patients may be burdened for an extended period before treatment.

Methods: In a debate held at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI-RS) meeting in Bristol in June 2024, we considered how new technologies might contribute to an expedited, dignified and effective investigation of LUTS.

Ovarian reserve modulates the impact of vitamin D deficiency on assisted reproductive outcomes in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Objective: The association between vitamin D deficiency and ovarian reserve-specific outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the role of ovarian reserve in the association between basal serum vitamin D levels and ART outcomes in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

Methods: A total of 1,333 infertile women undergoing COH cycles were retrospectively analyzed.

Mitochondrial dysfunction signatures in idiopathic primary male infertility: a validated proteomics-based diagnostic approach.

Research Question: Male infertility accounts for almost half of all infertility cases worldwide, with idiopathic male infertility accounting for up to 30% of the cases. Sperm proteomics has revealed critical molecular pathway changes in men with infertility. However, the sperm mitochondrial proteome remains poorly understood.

Network meta-analysis of pharmacological treatment for antibody-mediated rejection after organ transplantation.

Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy of pharmacological interventions in mitigating graft injury in transplant patients with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) through a network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods: A search was conducted on databases such as Cochrane Library, PubMed, EmBase, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on pharmacological interventions for alleviating graft injury following AMR. The search was performed for publications up to April 12, 2024.